As gorgeous and versatile braids are, their maintenance and care can be quite a handful. The obvious things to take care of are washing your hair and moisturizing it, making sure the hair is hydrated and nourished. One of the products that you can opt to or invest in is obviously a good hair serum.
But is hair serum good for braids? Yes, we do recommend using hair serums for braided hair. A hair serum help mitigate frizz, and hair breakage and adds shine to your hair.
Stick with us to learn about hair serums and why we’re promoting it for your braids.
What is Hair Serum
Hair serums are liquid-based products containing silicone that coats your hair and forms a protective layer to help smooth out frizz. Such silicone-based products have a lower pH level which prevents damaging the hair.
Furthermore, hair serums contain active ingredients and amino acids which penetrate deep into the hair and help reduce hair breakage.
Hair serums are commonly known to control frizz and add shine to your hair. However, the right hair serum can offer you countless other benefits.
What’s the Difference Between Hair Serum & Hair Oil
Hair serums and hair oil might have similar consistency or texture, but they’re two very different products with very distinct features and functions.
While hair serums are essentially used to provide protection to your hair, most oils are designed to provide nourishment and improve the health of your hair.
For hair that is dry, frizzy, or has split ends, your go-to would be a hair serum. Besides that, hair serums can also be used as styling products. However, for hair that needs deep nourishment or repairs your go-to would be hair oil.
Hair serums and oils serve different functions for your hair. Depending on your hair type and its needs, choose which one, if not both, you need and when.
Can A Hair Serum Be Used Alone or Under A Heavier Cream or Oil
Hair serums are designed in a way that they can be used alone.
However, if you feel the need, you can use either cream or oil with a hair serum. You can use a little oil after you have applied your serum.
For mixed textured hair, the best way to go about it’s to use a combination of hair serum and cream.
What Are The Benefits of Using A Hair Serum in Braids
Hair serums are essentially thought of as a styling products. While that’s not false, depending on the ingredients, hair serums can offer you a myriad of other benefits as well, including:
a. It Offers Protection
Hair serum protects you from outside elements that can harm your hair. Its protective layer helps block UV and gives protection from heating tools and pollution. It also helps restore moisture in hair that has been damaged from coloring.
b. Helps Control Frizz
Serums that offer you moisturizing or hydrating elements help reduce the dryness of your hair, thereby reducing its frizziness.
c. It Gives a Subtle Shine to the Braid
Hair serums form a coating over your hair strands which not only protects the hair but also brings a reflective shine.
d. Reduces Hair Breakage
Hair serums help to restore elasticity. Elasticity is your hair’s ability to stretch and go back to normal without any breakage. Thus they help prevent breakage.
e. Provides Moisture
Most hair serums contain moisturizing ingredients, preventing your hair from getting dry or frizzy. They also help restore naturally occurring moisture.
f. Detangles Hair and Makes it More Manageable
Again, healthy hair, which can retain moisture and is not frizzy or dry, gets caught up in tangles less and is thus easier to manage.
How Do You Apply Hair Serum to Your Scalp
Here is a small guideline on how to use your hair serums to get the best results:
1. Wash Your Hair
While you can use hair serums for touch-ups, they usually show the best results when applied to clean hair. Moreover, the serum should be applied when your hair is still wet or damp.
2. Apply the Hair Serum
Depending on your hair length and density, take a few drops of the serum and apply it evenly through the hair using your hand. Focus on the base of your hair, especially the ends, rather than the roots because that’s where the product is supposed to do its work.
3. Post-Application Care
Once the application is done, use your fingers to get rid of any tangles. We recommend using a comb to brush through the hair for even distribution.
Can Lightweight Hair Serums Be Used Daily In Braids
If your hair feels too damaged and is in need of repair, then adding your hair serum to your daily hair care routine might be a good idea.
Using hairy serums on a daily basis is even recommended when you’ve extensions on your hair. The added layer of moisturizing protection that hair serum offers is beneficial as hair extensions tend to have the cuticle removed from your hair.
Potential Side Effects of Using Hair Serum For Braids
There is a common misconception surrounding the use of hair serums. Hair serums are said to weigh down naturally fine hair. Hair serums are essentially beneficial, but that might not be a false claim considering the quality and quantity of your product.
If the serum you have chosen is not the right one for you, it can leave behind a sticky residue. Overuse can also lead to serum build-up and might leave you with an itchy or inflamed scalp.
Choose the Right Kind of Hair Serum for Braids
Hair serums are meant to protect your hair strands. But when looking for one, you might want to invest in a serum that gives protection and helps tame your dry and frizzy hair.
Another thing to keep in mind when looking for a hair serum is that they’re supposed to have lower pH levels. Lower pH helps to prevent swelling and holds the hair fibers together. This prevents your hair from further damage.
Choose a serum depending on your hair type. For oily scalps, go for serums that have a lighter formula.
FAQs
Can you use a face serum in your hair?
While face serums can be used on your scalp, it is best to stick to products designed specifically for your hair.
Are oil-based serums good for people with oily hair types?
Different hair serums containing different ingredients are aimed at different hair types. If you have oily hair, we recommend you go for hair serums with lighter formulas.
Conclusion
When opting for a braid, care, and maintenance are big parts that you need to keep in mind. While there are products that you must include in your routine, hair serums are optional products that offer a handful of benefits.
Although the answer to the question, “Is hair serum good for braids?”, is yes, you need to ensure proper use of it. Choose a hair serum with ingredients that complement your hair type.
Know how much care your hair needs; depending on that, use your product, and you are good to do.
